Customer Reviews

Appliance Handbook For Women: Simple Enough Even Men Can Understand

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I consulted this book because I had a white film on my dishes after the wash cycle was complete. I appreciated the diagnosis techniques and solutions the author provided. After taking the author's advice, I'm glad to say I don't have to wipe off my dishes after the dishwasher cycle is complete! This was a readable quick-reference guide that made me more knowledgeable about my appliances and saved me money by not having to make a service call.

I was surprised (and happy) to read the last chapter which included an honest treatment of how to protect yourself from the no-so-honest service industry. It's nice to know a seasoned professional is on your side and can give an "insider" perspective. This book will pay for itself MANY times over during the lifetime of your appliances.

I was experiencing soap in my washer at the end of each load. I tried several things to eliminate this problem, including switching detergent and running vinegar through the machine a couple of times. It helped for a couple of loads and then it was back to soap still there after the final rinse. I was using quite a bit of water to keep rinsing loads until the soap was finally gone. I almost called a service tech. I received a copy of this book as a gift and tried the "clean towel test." The author was right! I was using way too much soap even though it was exactly what the soap box said to use and I hadn't changed the amount I used over the past 25 years. However, I do have a new washing machine. I'm now using just enough soap to cover the bottom of the lid of the liquid soap and my clothes are clean and softer. Plus, I'm buying much less soap and my water bill has gone down! This book definitely saved me money. Thank you, Vernon!

This book helped me save money! I was so impress I bought one for my best friend. The tips will help you determine when you need to call the repairman and help save money, and saving money is the best gift to give someone.

I purchased a front load washer because we are a family of five with a ton of laundry, and the front loaders can accomodate larger loads. It worked great for the first few months but after a while I noticed small amounts of water on the floor just in front of the machine and that the clothes hadn't been through a proper spin cycle. After reading the section on Front loaders in this book, I realized I wasn't putting enough clothes in the machine to allow for a balanced spin. I haven't had any problems since. There are many other great tips in this book; things you would never think of. It's well worth the purchase!

Over the years, my wife and I have shared household duties and used different appliances, some very well, some not so well. Recently, I've taken on almost all of those duties, and I've been reviewing our experiences with how to make the best use of things like washing machines, dishwashers, ovens and the like.

"Consumer's Report" is a great starting place; our file of user manuals is up to date and often referred to, but this excellent guide is almost essential -- we have the great good luck to have an appliance repairman who seems as knowledgeable as Vernon Schmidt, the self publisher and author of this excellent guide.

"The New York Times" recently featured his advice on the number misuse of dishwashers and washing machines -- too much soap. Let me start with soap. The No. 1 sin, according to repair people and appliance experts, seems to be adding too much soap to washing machines or dishwashers. The author writes:

"'Nobody thinks they use too much soap,' said Vernon Schmidt .... But apparently most of us are in denial. 'Most people use 10 to 15 times the amount of soap they need, and they're pouring money down the drain,' Mr. Schmidt said."

Schmidt has a neat test of whether you are using too much soap: wash one clean bathtowel for five minutes without adding and detergent -- if you see suds, the soap had to come from the towel, after it was "clean". Cut back as much as Schmidt suggests, and you may be pleasantly surprised.

Here are a few other ideas from Schmidt, buttressed by my own past experiences. On the soap front, I called our service guy to come by and see what was wrong with our dishwasher -- dishes were sticky and spotted. He said I was using much too much detergent (echoing Schmidt) and told me to use a tenth as much. If that didn't solve the problem, he would come by, but he reminded me of his $75 service call minimum. I'm sparing on the detergent, the dishes sparkle, and he hasn't received a cent in two years from me.

He did get $125 for "fixing" our refrigerator -- the seal was leaking air. He pointed out that there was a plugged drain hole in the back, got out my instruction manual, and told me to read page 14. Ten minutes of reading and regular cleaning would have saved that money.

Schmidt agrees -- the manual is a very important part of any appliance -- there are so many new features that you simply can't keep up with the needs of your more recent acquisitions. For example, we found that our self cleaning oven doesn't really clean very well. Schmidt points out that there is a special coating that makes them "self cleaning"; a common mistake is to use oven cleaner, which removes dirt but also removes the coating. [Newer manuals warn about this problem, but the one that came with our oven didn't do so.]

Be sure to always have some liquid in your microwave, according to Schmidt. Agreed. I used to warm dinner plates in the microwave until one day ours burst into flames. The rays bounced off the shiny surfaces, heating the oven itself until to started itself on fire. A container of water will absorb the reflected waves, and the plates are heated very nicely.

Schmidt has dozens of other vary practical suggestions. My own experience shows you can save the price of this excellent book many times over. A great buy for anyone who keeps house.

Robert C. Ross 2010

This 70 page book is useful for everyone, not just women !! It covers virtually every major household appliance and offers quick and easy ways to handle your appliance problems by yourself, before you have to call the repairman. Actually, some of the appliance problems are quite easy to correct, as she points out. A little knowledge can be helpful. You don't have to be an an "expert." Worthwhile to have on hand.

I learned a lot from this book, especially how to cut expenses for everyday living. My fiance and I were able to learn a lot to help prolong the effiency of our appliances and cut cost. This is a must have for some must know knowledge.

Lots of good tips for men and women. Great for young couples just starting out.

Wonderful tips for any homeowner. Easy to understand and very helpful.

This book has a lot of useful and MONEY saving tips. I learned that I was using too much detergent in my washer and dishwasher causing a film of soap scum that is also harmful to my appliances. You have to try his tip about the washer and detergent, amazing, plus I will now save money by using less detergents. VERY HELPFUL AND HANDY BOOK TO HAVE AROUND.